Safe Drinking Water: Fact and Fiction

WATER is the most important element in our day-to-day life. The quality of our life depends on it. Unfortunately what we get on our tap is less than perfect. As the world population booms and more people are dumping wastes into water channels, some of it inevitably ends up in our water supply. 


Is our daily consumed water safe to drink? What is in tap water?

Research shows 97% of our tap water comes from rivers, which are connected to drainage and sewage systems, therefore it is no surprise thousands of chemicals are found in water.

So what are the long term effects of consuming these polluted water? The list of illness may include cancers, blood contamination, and unhealthy cells, which slowly breaks down our vital organs, besides clogged heart and arteries.

Consider this. Scientist have found pesticides in water causing abnormalities to animals.

For example, a class of pollutants known as endocrine disruptors affects animals' natural hormones, causing male fishes to develop eggs in their sex organs, and male leopard frogs to develop eggs and ovaries.

Beluga Whales in Canada are reported to have a higher rate of cancer than usual, due to toxic chemicals discharged from rivers.

Studies in the U.S. show we are exposed to other people's drugs through drinking water.

There are approximately 100,000 chemicals in use in the world, and some include growth hormones, pharmaceuticals and antibiotics which are excreted and find their way into our tap water, causing dire health consequences to humans and animals alike. Hospitals that throw expired drugs openly are a major concern as well.

In another study, about 400 chemicals were found in umbilical cords, more than half which cause cancer in humans or animals, are toxic to the brain and nervous system, and cause birth defects or abnormal development in animals. Scientists refer to these as "body burden."

Local researcher Alan Ng who has more than 15 years experience in water related industry said: "Drinking polluted water can be compared to smoking cigarettes, it does not kill us immediately, but may cause a lot of health problems in the long term."

So does installing water filters help to remove 99% of pollutants? Apparently not. Ng said most water filtration system cannot remove dissolved chemicals especially inorganic minerals.

"There are tens of thousands of chemicals in the water found during water testing. Laboratory tests show many toxic chemicals are present in filtered water as dissolved chemicals take only a few seconds to move through these filters.

Currently there are many water purification systems available in the market including GAC and carbon block filters, ceramic filters, sand filters, reverse osmosis, or distiller. So which  type of purification of water amongst them are most effective in removing contaminants from the water?

Apparently none of the above., said Ng. The answer lies in water distillation, which remains the most effective process as it does not remove the contaminants from water but extracts water by boiling it to steam, and leaving the contaminants behind.

That is why only distilled water can be used for intravenous dripping and laboratory tests, besides being used in the former Mir Space Station and now in the International Space Station.

So what is the difference between distilled water and other forms of water? Ng said, it is simply this: "All other forms of water contain inorganic minerals as well as chemicals, but distilled water is pure.

"Our body is approximately 70% water, which is the medium in which the body uses to flush away toxic and waste products. Therefore it is important the water we drink is free from pollutants so it does not reverse the process by polluting the body with contaminants during the cleansing process.

"Studies show when chemicals are present in our body, they interfere with white blood cells production.

"Our immune system is really a miracle. People who lose both of their arms and legs in accident or war can still survive. If you cut the skin of a 100-year old person, it will heal by itself. If you do not systemically destroy your immune system with toxic chemicals, you will be much healthier. It is as simple as that."

Ng said it is ironic some people stress on eating organic foods, but consume thousands of chemicals through dirty drinking water. Ng said distilled water is the cheapest "health food". If one were to consume only two litres of distilled water per day, it costs only 50 sen a day.

"You can distill your own water and save money every day by making your own coffee and tea instead of drinking outside.

"Furthermore drinks made with distilled water tastes much better as there are no chemicals."

Info

Distilled water health benefits

DISTILLED WATER is purified with a distiller which turns water into steam by boiling and leaving the contaminants behind. With distilled water, you do not have to be concerned about bacteria, chemicals or other contaminants. Here are among the benefits:

* No microscopic contaminants

Distillation removes microscopic contaminants such as bacteria, viruses, fungi and protozoa.

* No added chemicals

Distillation removes chemicals such as fluoride and chlorine, which are commonly added to tap water and may appear in other types of bottled water.

* No farm or garden chemicals

Additional chemical contaminants which have been found in other types of bottled water including fertiliser residue, herbicides and pesticides. These are eliminated from distilled water.

* No inorganic chemicals

Distillation removes any trace of chemicals, such as disinfectants and asbestos originating from factories, mines and other facilities.

* No sodium or other minerals

Distilled water has no salt, calcium, iron or magnesium, the most common minerals in tap and bottled water.

* Flushes away mineral deposits

Research shows drinking distilled water can flush away mineral deposits accumulated in joints, preventing arthritis, and in cells, preventing gallstones.

Plain water as a treatment for various diseases

SCIENTISTS have found the habit of drinking water upon rising every morning has tremendous benefits. The Japanese Medical Society, for instance, has proven that in certain cases, this practice could even treat serious diseases. The diseases that were studied by the medical society in Japan include: headaches, physical body aches, arthritis, rapid heart beat, epilepsy, excess body fat, bronchitis, tuberculosis, meningitis, kidney and urinary infection. For this practice to be effective, certain rules should be followed:

* Drink four glasses of water (160ml) upon rising every morning and before brushing your teeth.

* Brush your teeth and rinse your mouth but do not consume any food or drink for 45 minutes.

* After 45 minutes, you may have your food and drink as usual.

* 15 minutes after breakfast, lunch and dinner, do not consume any food or drink for two hours.

* Elderly patients who are initially unable to drink four glasses of water all at once, could start this practice by gradually drinking up to four glasses of water.

* This healing method is believed to be able to treat various diseases within certain periods of time. 

1. High Blood Pressure (30 days) 

2. Gastritis (10 days) 

3. Diabetes (30 days) 

4. Constipation (10 days) 

5. Cancer (180 days) 

6. Tuberculosis (90 days). 

Arthritis patients need to be on this regimen for three days. There is no side effect but there will be a constant urge to urinate at the early stage.